Arrangement for brushing a fabric web

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for brushing a fabric web moving in a traveling direction to define an upward strand and a downward strand, includes a self-contained carrier module having a motor-driven brush rotatable about a rotation axis transversely to a traveling direction of the fabric web and carrying bristles made of plastic or metal wire. A deflection roller is disposed at a lower end of the upward strand and/or downward strand of the fabric web and movable in a direction transversely to the rotation axis of the brush. Disposed above the brush are pressure-applying strips in parallel relationship thereto for loading the upward and downward strands of the fabric web, wherein the pressure-applying strip has a surface which is convex in a direction to the fabric web.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), thepriority of German Patent Applications Ser. No. 101 12 963.7, filed Mar.17, 2001, and 102 09 366.0, filed Mar. 2, 2002, the subject matter ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to an arrangement forbrushing a fabric web.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,153,836, issued on Oct. 27, 1964, describes afabric napping mechanism which includes a carrier module in the form ofa frame having two banks of idling napping rollers in superimposeddisposition. Each napping roller is provided at its periphery withfabric engaging needles. Rotatably mounted in the frame and disposedabove and below the napping rollers are smaller idler rollers havingrotation axes located offset to the rotation axes of the napping rollersin a direction toward the frame. In this way, the fabric web isconducted in an arcuated or looped pattern upwardly about one bank ofrollers and downwardly about the other bank of rollers. Deflection ofthe fabric web from the upward strand into the downward strand isimplemented by a drum at the top end of the banks and a drum at thebottom end of the banks. These drums have a greater diameter than theidler rollers above and below the napping rollers and run idle just likethe napping rollers and the idler rollers and rotate about fixedrotation axes.

[0004] The fabric web is pressed against the napping rollers by apressure frame with presser rollers to allow the needles to penetrateinto the fabric web. The presser rollers are disposed above horizontalplanes intersecting the rotation axes of the napping rollers andsupported on the upward strand and the downward strand, respectively.The degree of pressure applied by the presser rollers is established bythe weight of the pressure frame and the presser rollers as well as by acounterweight which is movably mounted at the end of a lever arm of adouble-armed lever, whereas the pressure frame with the presser rollersis suspended from the end of the other lever arm.

[0005] This conventional fabric napping mechanism suffers manyshortcomings because the quality of the napping function of the fabricweb depends predominantly on the pressure applied by the presser rollersupon the fabric web. This pressure can, however, not be controlled in aprecise enough fashion. Moreover, the overall structure of the fabricnapping mechanism is complex and cost-intensive, and requires amultiplicity of napping rollers, idler rollers, presser rollers anddrums so that the fabric web can be pulled-in only in a difficultmanner. Also, the complex guidance of the fabric web renders thearrangement difficult to access.

[0006] It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide animproved arrangement for brushing a fabric web to obviate prior artshortcomings and to allow the production of a nap or a roughing in asimple manner, while ensuring a permanent quality of the fabric web, andto allow easy retrofitting of existing devices for producing fabricwebs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, in anarrangement for brushing a fabric web moving in a traveling direction todefine an upward strand and a downward strand, a self-contained carriermodule, positioned between a production unit for making the fabric weband a winding unit for receiving the fabric web, includes a brushrotatable about a rotation axis transversely to the traveling directionof the fabric web and loaded by the fabric web, with the brush havingits own motive drive and including bristles made of plastic or metalwire; a deflection roller disposed at a lower end of the upward strandand/or downward strand of the fabric web and movable in a directiontransversely to the rotation axis of the brush; and a pressure-applyingstrip disposed above the brush in parallel relationship thereto forloading the upward strand of the fabric web in a direction to thedownward strand and/or loading the downward strand of the fabric web ina direction to the upward strand, wherein the pressure-applying striphas a surface which is convex in a direction to the fabric web.

[0008] The present invention resolves prior art problems by theprovision of a single brush provided with bristles of plastic of metalwire and disposed between the strands slightly above the deflectionrollers. Suitably, the brush contacts both strands of the fabric web andmay rotate evenly or unevenly. Currently preferred is an embodiment inwhich the brush does not rotate continuously but pivots back and forthat movements of less than 360°. Of course, the pivot movements in bothdirections need not be the same but the angle may differ in onedirection from the angle in the other direction. Parameters, such asrotation, oscillation or oscillation characteristics, can be freelyprogrammed or controlled, because the brush has its own drive which may,optionally, be integrated in a stored program control system.

[0009] Suitably, both the upward strand and the downward strand interactwith a separate deflection roller. As each deflection roller is movablein a transverse direction, the pressure of the fabric web upon the brushcan be varied. As a consequence, the brushing intensity can becontrolled precisely in a sensitive way and brush wear can becompensated until replacement becomes necessary.

[0010] It may also be suitable to provide two pressure-applying strips,one strip for interaction with the downward strand and one strip forinteraction with the upward strand. The use of such a pressure-applyingstrip allows by itself, or also in conjunction with a displacement of adeflection roller, to precisely determine the wrapping angle of thefabric web upon the brush, i.e. size of the contact surface between thefabric web and the brush, and thus the contact pressure of the fabricweb upon the brush. The pressure-applying strip may be in slidingcontact with the fabric web or also in rolling contact therewith,whereby in the latter case, the pressure-applying strip is implementedby a simple rotatable tube, thereby necessarily providing the convexsurface.

[0011] According to another feature of the present invention, thedeflection roller is suspended from above and rotates in a substantiallyhorizontal direction about an axis in parallel relationship to therotation axis of the brush. The respective pivot position is suitablyfixed in place and may be combined with a scale so that the operator mayset a particular tension or a predetermined contact pressure of thefabric web on the brush.

[0012] In order to configure the brushing process even more efficientand to take into account shifts of the fabric web relative to the brush,and/or to a deflection roller, and/or to a pressure-applying strip, thedeflection roller may be driven in synchronism at a speed of the fabricweb and also roughened with a coating. In this way, slip, which mayadversely affect the operation, is prevented.

[0013] According to another feature of the present invention, thepressure-applying strip may pivot in a substantially vertical directionabout an axis in parallel relationship to the rotation axis of thebrush. Hereby, the pressure-applying strip may be articulated to one endof a one-armed lever whose other end is swingably mounted to the carriermodule. The pressure-applying strip may be pivoted by hand or bymachine, optionally, also in dependence on a stored program controlsystem, and the pivot movement may be combined with an increase ordecrease in pressure of the fabric web upon the bristles of the brush.

[0014] According to another feature of the present invention, there isprovided a self-driving cleaning unit which is disposed above the brushand rotates in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, wherein thecleaning unit includes a plurality of circumferentially offset cleaningcombs having straight needles of slender conical configuration. Theneedles may be made of plastic or metal wire, and the drive of thecleaning unit may be integrated in a stored program control system. Theprovision of the cleaning unit enables a continuous or periodiccleansing of the brush, so that the quality of the fabric web can beconsistently maintained at a same high standard throughout the process.The cleaning unit may be operated during travel or also during stoppageof the fabric web. Since the cleaning unit is located above the brush,the space between the upward strand and the downward strand of thefabric web may be exploited hereby.

[0015] Suitably, the cleaning combs may be detachably secured in 90°offset disposition about the periphery of a central carrier member andthus can be made easily and separately replaceable.

[0016] According to another feature of the present invention, theneedles engage between the bristles of the brush at an inclination to aplane defined by the rotation axis of the brush and a rotation axis ofthe cleaning unit. In this way, the cleaning unit can be operated athigh rotational speed so that in conjunction with the slender conicityof the needles, particles encountered between the bristles can bereliably pulled and moved away as a consequence of centrifugal forces.

[0017] In order to eliminate a risk of injury and to improve the removalof particles from the brush, the cleaning unit may be accommodated in ahousing which is open toward the brush. The contour of the open side ofthe housing may hereby be suited to the curvature of the brush.Suitably, the housing may be movable together with the cleaning unit ina longitudinal direction of the brush, whereby a suction duct extendsparallel to the brush and includes a suction conduit for connecting thehousing to the suction duct for withdrawing air and particles. In thisway, the cleaning unit may then be continuously or periodically shiftedback and forth in longitudinal direction across the brush. Particlesseparated by the cleaning combs from the brush are then instantly pickedup by the suction duct and moved away for disposal. There are many waysto implement the drive of the cleaning unit in longitudinal direction ofthe brush. For example, when the housing and the cleaning unit aresupported by a carriage or vehicle which moves along the suction duct,the carriage or vehicle may be moved back and forth by a simple,especially motor-driven, traction member, such as a belt, cable or thelike. Of course, other drives are certainly feasible as well andconsidered to be covered by this disclosure.

[0018] According to another feature of the present invention, there maybe provided a further deflection roller, disposed in a top area of thecarrier module, for changing the upward strand into the downward strand,and a lighting unit disposed below the further deflection roller betweenthe upward and downward strands. In this way, the fabric web can bedirectly monitored and controlled to detect, e.g., web defects, along asubstantially freely accessible viewing path. The illumination by thelighting unit may, e.g., be sized to extend across the entire width ofthe fabric web.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will bemore readily apparent upon reading the following description ofcurrently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention withreference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an arrangement for brushing afabric web, in accordance with the present invention, in combinationwith a winding unit;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a partial view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 in adirection of arrow II in FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a schematic view, on an enlarged scale, of thearrangement of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a schematic cutaway view, on an enlarged scale, of theillustration of the arrangement of FIG. 3; and

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration the detailed view of FIG. 3,without the fabric web.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements aregenerally indicated by same reference numerals.

[0026] Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, there isshown a schematic side view of an arrangement for brushing a fabric web1, in accordance with the present invention, disposed between aproduction machine PM, shown here only schematically, for producing thefabric web 1, and a winding unit 2 for winding the processed fabric web1 onto a spool 3. The spool 3 is placed on two winding drums 4, 5, whichare part of the winding unit 2 which further includes a deflection roll6 for cooperation with the winding drum 4 to realize a reliableconduction of the fabric web 1 traveling in the direction of arrow LR.

[0027] The fabric web 1 is roughened on one side 7 by means of a brushassembly 8 which is disposed between the production machine PM and thewinding unit 2 and constructed as a self-contained carrier module with amodule frame 9. The fabric web 1 is conducted in horizontal directiontoward the brush assembly 8 and is then guided in the frame 9 via adeflection roller 10 upwardly to define a substantially vertical upwardstrand 11. At its top 12, the frame 9 supports a deflection roller 13 bywhich the fabric web 1 is conducted downwardly in a substantiallyvertical downward strand 14. Disposed at the lower end of the downwardstrand 14, is a further deflection roller 15 which deflects the fabricweb 1 into a horizontal direction for travel to the winding unit 2. Thebrush assembly 8 includes a brush 23 which has bristles 21 of plastic ormetal wire and is disposed between the upward and downwards strands 11,14 slightly above the deflection rollers 10, 15, and which is supportedfor rotation about a rotation axis 22.

[0028] The deflection rollers 10, 15 may have surfaces 16 which areprovided with a rough coating and/or may be driven in synchronism by atleast one drive, not shown, at a same speed as the traveling speed ofthe fabric web 1. As further shown in FIG. 1, the fabric web 1 isfurther conducted between the production machine PM and the deflectionroller 10 at the entrance of the brush assembly 8, by two deflectionrollers 17, 18.

[0029] As shown in particular in FIG. 3, which is a schematic view, onan enlarged scale, of the arrangement of FIG. 1, the deflection rollers10, 15 at the lower ends of the upward strand 11 and the downward strand14 are suspended from pivot axes 19 so as to be able to move insubstantially horizontal direction about the pivot axes 19 and fixed inplace in a desired position as governed by a scale 20. In this way, thepressure of the fabric web 1 upon the bristles 21 of the brush 23 can beadjusted in a desired manner. The adjustment of the deflection rollers10, 15 may be realized by hand through suitable adjustment members 44secured to the frame 9. As shown in particular in FIG. 2, the brush 23extends across the entire inner length of the frame 9.

[0030] Disposed above the brush 23 are two pressure-applying strips 24for respectively loading the upward strand 11 as well as the downwardstrand 14 in a horizontal direction. The pressure-applying strips 24 mayhave a tubular configuration so as to exhibit a convex surface pointingto the strands 11, 14, respectively, and are movable about pivot axes 25in a substantially vertical direction, as indicated by the curved doublearrows PF. The provision of the pressure-applying strips 24 also promotea sensitive adjustment of the pressure by which the fabric web 1 isurged against the bristles 21 of the brush 23 to suit the conditions athand.

[0031] The brush 23, disposed in a vertical location between thedeflection rollers 10, 15 and the pressure-applying strips 24 is incontact with the upward strand 11 as well as the downward strand 14 andis rotated by a motor 27 via a belt 36. The brush 23 may rotate evenly,as indicated by double arrow PF1 in one or the other direction. Ofcourse, the rotation may be limited to an angle of less than 360°, andthe brush 23 may execute an oscillating motion in the direction of thedouble arrow PF1. It is also possible to integrate the motor 27 in astored program control system.

[0032] Positioned above the brush 23 between the upward strand 11 andthe downward strand 14 of the fabric web 1 is a cleaning unit 28, whichis shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. The cleaning unit 28 has aseparate drive 29 for rotation of the cleaning unit 28 about a rotationaxis 33 in parallel relationship to the rotation axis 22 of the brush23, as indicated by arrow PF2, and has a central carrier member 31 andcleaning combs 30 detachably mounted to the periphery of the carriermember 31 in 90° offset disposition. The cleaning combs 30 have straightneedles 32 constructed in a slender conical configuration and made, forexample, of metal wire. The needles 32 are positioned at slightinclination with respect to a plane extending between the rotation axis22 of the brush 23 and the rotation axis 33 of the cleaning unit 28,when engaging between the bristles of the brush 23.

[0033] The cleaning unit 28 is fitted in a housing 34 which is opentoward the brush 23, as shown in particular in FIG. 4. The housing 34 isshiftable in a direction indicated by the straight double arrow PF3(FIG. 5) along a suction duct 35, extending in parallel relationship tothe rotation axis 22 of the brush 23, and is connected via a suctionconduit 36 with the suction duct 35 for withdrawing air and particlesseparated from the brush 23.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 3, it can be seen that a lighting unit 37is provided in the area of the upper deflection roller 13 between theupward strand and the downward strand 14, for permitting an opticalsupervision of the fabric web 1.

[0035] While the invention has been illustrated and described asembodied in an arrangement for brushing a fabric web, it is not intendedto be limited to the details shown since various modifications andstructural changes may be made without departing in any way from thespirit of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the invention andpractical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art tobest utilize the invention and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0036] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by LettersPatent is set forth in the appended claims and their equivalents:

What is claimed is:
 1. An arrangement for brushing a fabric web movingin a traveling direction to define an upward strand and a downwardstrand, comprising a self-contained carrier module adapted fordisposition between a production unit for making the fabric web and awinding unit for receiving the fabric web, wherein the carrier moduleincludes a brush rotatable about a rotation axis transversely to thetraveling direction of the fabric web and loaded by the fabric web, saidbrush having a separate motive drive and including bristles made ofplastic or metal wire; a deflection roller disposed at a lower end of atleast one member selected from the group consisting of the upward strandand downward strand of the fabric web, wherein the deflection roller ismovable in a direction transversely to the rotation axis of the brush;and pressure-applying means disposed above the brush in parallelrelationship thereto for loading at least one of the upward strand ofthe fabric web in a direction to the downward strand and the downwardstrand of the fabric web in a direction to the upward strand, whereinthe pressure-applying means includes a pressure-applying strip with asurface which is convex in a direction to the fabric web.
 2. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the deflection roller is suspended fromabove and rotates in a substantially horizontal direction about an axisin parallel relationship to the rotation axis of the brush.
 3. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the deflection roller is driven insynchronism at a speed of the fabric web.
 4. The arrangement of claim 1,wherein the deflection roller is provided with a rough coating.
 5. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the pressure-applying strip pivots in asubstantially vertical direction about an axis in parallel relationshipto the rotation axis of the brush.
 6. The arrangement of claim 1, andfurther comprising a self-driving cleaning unit disposed above the brushand rotating in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, wherein thecleaning unit is provided with a plurality of circumferentially offsetcleaning combs having straight needles of slender conical configuration.7. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein the needles engage between thebristles of the brush at an inclination to a plane defined by therotation axis of the brush and a rotation axis of the cleaning unit. 8.The arrangement of claim 6, and further comprising a housing foraccommodating the cleaning unit, wherein the housing is open toward thebrush.
 9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the housing is movable inconcert with the cleaning unit in a longitudinal direction of the brush,and further comprising a suction duct extending parallel to the brushand including a suction conduit for connecting the housing to thesuction duct for withdrawing air and particles.
 10. The arrangement ofclaim 1, and further comprising a further deflection roller, disposed ina top area of the carrier module, for changing the upward strand intothe downward strand, and a lighting unit disposed below the furtherdeflection roller between the upward and downward strands.
 11. A brushassembly, comprising: a brush having bristles arranged about itscircumference for engagement with a fabric web; a drive unit forrotating the brush about a rotation axis; and adjusting means forcontrolling a pressure by which the fabric web is urged against thebrush, said adjusting means including a deflection roller deflecting thefabric web upstream of the brush and movable in a direction transverselyto the rotation axis of the brush, and a strip deflecting the fabric webat a location downstream of the brush and having a surface which isconvex in a direction to the fabric web.
 12. The brush assembly of claim11, wherein the brush is positioned between an upward strand and adownward strand of the fabric web.
 13. The brush assembly of claim 11,wherein the drive unit includes a motor and a power transmission elementconnecting the motor with the brush.
 14. The brush assembly of claim 11,wherein the brush is driven by the drive unit to rotate evenly orunevenly.
 15. The brush assembly of claim 11, wherein the brush isdriven by the drive unit to rotate back and forth at an angle of lessthan 360°.
 16. The brush assembly of claim 11, wherein the brush isdriven by the drive unit to rotate back and forth at different angles ofrotation.
 17. The brush assembly of claim 11, wherein the deflectionroller has a roughened surface to prevent slippage of the fabric web.18. The brush assembly of claim 11, and further comprising a rotatingcleaning unit disposed above the brush and having a carrier memberdefined by a circumference, and cleaning comb sets detachably mounted in90° offset disposition to the circumference of the carrier member, forengagement between the bristles of the brush.
 19. The brush assembly ofclaim 18, wherein each of the cleaning comb sets has straight needlesconstructed of conical configuration and projecting out at aninclination.
 20. The brush assembly of claim 18, and further comprisinga housing for accommodating the cleaning unit, wherein the housing hasan open side facing the brush to allow successive projection of thecleaning comb toward the brush.
 21. The brush assembly of claim 20,wherein the open side has a curved configuration to complement a curvedcontour of the brush.
 22. The brush assembly of claim 18, and furthercomprising a suction mechanism in communication with an interior of thehousing to allow removal of particles separated by the cleaning unitfrom the brush.